Wednesday, November 11, 2009

NY Recap - The Morgan Library & Museum

Fortunately NY wasn't all about business. I managed to fit in a little culture, fine dining, a film and some shopping.

For some reason I had never before visited the Morgan Library & Museum. Whenever I had tried in the past, it always seemed out of the way or my plans always got changed, so finally on this trip I made it to the Morgan.

I love small museums like the Frick in New York and the Jacquemart-André in Paris because they don't overwhelm like the Met and the Louvre. Also being created in private residences from private collections, these museums give you an incredible view into the architecture, interior design and lifestyle of a significant family within their historical period.



And the Morgan Library certainly did not disappoint with its elegant Italianate portico

and over the top library designed by Charles Mckim

and the juxtaposition of the open and airy steel and glass structure connecting the original building and the annex by Renzo Piano
very cool.
While the architecture alone was worth the trip, I also enjoyed viewing two of the current exhibitions
and
The dix-huitième drawings by Watteau, Boucher, Fragonard, Prud'hon were beautiful and I'm sorry that I will miss this week's lecture Glamour and Guillotine: Fashion, Theater and Decorative Arts in Eighteenth-Century France
The Blake works were incredible too. Does anyone else find all those floating figures in Blake to be an artistic precursor to those by later artists such as Chagall and Matisse?
The exhibit that I missed at the Morgan was A Woman's Wit: Jane Austin's Life and Legacy.
Miss Cavendish, if you have an upcoming trip to NY, it will be on display through March 14th.
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10 comments:

Jill said...

I love the Frick...I've really enjoyed these posts. Thanks for taking the time to document your trip. NYC overall overwhelms me.

Belle de Ville said...

Jill,
I am definitely not a New Yorker, but I do enjoy visiting the city for short trips.
I would have loved to have taken photos of how the women were dressed and then later posted them but I would have looked like a stalker!

La Belette Rouge said...

Between you and Deja I feel like I am on a mini-virtual vacation. Thanks for sharing these gorgeous photos.

Belle de Ville said...

You're welcome Belette. I too am travelling vicariously to Paris through Deja Pseu's posts and photos.

Susan B said...

That looks like a fabulous museum. I'm with you on the smaller musées and the Frick is one of my favorites. I'll have to check this one out on the next trip...

Miss Cavendish said...

Oooh--I shall indeed be there over Christmas break. And I always order Louisa (Morgan)'s gingerbread at the on-site cafe!

Belle de Ville said...

Ah Miss C., you, gingerbread and Jane Austin...it will a fun Christmas break!

Couture Carrie said...

Gorgeous post, darling! That library is amazing!

Oh, and I love the Frick too!

xoxox,
CC

Cafe Fashionista said...

I am supposed to be in New York in December - I hope I have time to check out that Jane Austen exhibit. Glad you had a good trip, darling! :)

The Townhouselady said...

You've made me feel guilty (this is a good thing). These are right outside my door and I've not been to either in at least 2 years since I've been so focused on our home (purchased two years ago- see the correlation?).

You've given me the kick in the pants I've needed to start revisiting my old favs.

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